The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Alisado comes swinging with its 52-ring gauge and 6-inch robusto frame, packing Nicaraguan tobacco that'll make your eyebrows sweat. Priced at $141 for 20 sticks, this box-pressed beast debuted in 2002 as a tribute to the brand's 1960s roots - hence the "1970" in its name. That Maduro wrapper isn't just dark, it's "midnight during a power outage" dark, with oil sheen that leaves fingerprints on your cutter.
Black pepper slaps your palate awake within three draws, followed by espresso grounds and roasted cashews. The smoke feels thick enough to chew, with that signature Nicaraguan earthiness coating your tongue.
Leather and 70% dark chocolate emerge, accompanied by mineral notes reminiscent of volcanic soil. The nicotine buzz starts humming in your temples around this point - beginners should sit down.
Bitter-sweet balance shifts toward charred cedar and black cherry undertones. Tar accumulation becomes noticeable past the band, typical for full-bodied cigars at this ring gauge.
The triple-cap head unravels cleanly with a straight cutter. Draw resistance sits at Goldilocks zone - not too loose, not plugging. Ash holds firm for 1.5-inch segments before dropping, though humidity above 65% may cause canoeing.
